Q&A: local elections

Last Modified: 17 Apr 2008
By: Channel 4 News

From the key issues to the opinion polls, get the lowdown on the local elections here.

Q: When and where will the local elections take place?

A: Elections will be held in both England and Wales on Thursday 1 May. Thirty six metropolitan councils, 19 unitary authorities and 78 district councils will go to the polls in England.

Twenty-two unitary councils will hold elections in Wales. Voting for the London Major and London Assembly will be held on the same day.

Local council elections take place annually as in most cases only a proportion of an authority's seats - such as a third - are put up for re-election.

Q: Why is it important?

A: Local councils control vital services such as education, social services, planning and transport. Although voter turnout can dip to just 25 per cent in some areas, local authorities are still a vital cog in the democratic process.

While local elections are often decided on local issues, they are seen nationally as a barometer for the perceived success of the main parties.

Local elections are also traditionally described as a form of 'protest vote' for people disaffected by national policies, such as the Iraq war.

Q: What are the key issues?

A: Each area will have its own particular issues, but a couple of national issues could provide a significant influence.

The closure of post offices could haunt Labour in certain constituencies, while the on-going credit crunch is sure to have a bearing - as the negative effects of mortgage increases, tax rises and higher living costs start to filter through.

Q: What is the current balance of power in local government?

A: Last year the Conservatives gained more than 800 council seats as more than 300 local authorities went to the polls.

They took control of another 35 councils, including several in the North, with a share of the vote estimated to be 40 per cent - the party's best since 1992.

Overall, in England, the Conservatives have control of 165 councils, Labour 34 and Lib Dems 23 - with 85 in no overall control.

Q: Where are some of the key battles?

A: There are important votes throughout the country, but there are certain councils where the symbolism of victory will be key for the major parties.

Cameron will be eager to gain Tory seats in former Labour heartlands such as Dewsbury to show that he is capable of winning the votes in the North that could eventually lead to national success.

While Brown will be desperate to cling onto Reading - one of it's last strongholds in the South - to prove it is not losing the sort of voters New Labour won over ten years ago.

Results at big councils such as Leeds and Birmingham will also provide key indicators over the nation's mood.

Q: What are the polls saying?

A: Pre-election polls for local votes are a lot less frequent than those during General Election campaigns.

The only real prediction has been produced by Ralling and Thrasher, which is based on analysis of recent local council by-elections.

It predicts the Conservatives to get 39 per cent of the vote, Labour 24 per cent and Lib Dems 29 per cent. It would result in the Tories gaining about 330 seats, Labour dropping 500, and Lib Dems winning 110.

Labour insiders have been quoted as saying they fear a loss of about 200 seats.